Indian-origin entrepreneur Karishma Vijay has won the 2026 edition of the reality show in the UK traineeand received an investment of £250,000 after being chosen as the winner by Lord Alan Sugar.trainee It is a business reality show from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in which contestants compete over several weeks through challenging business tasks to obtain an investment from Lord Sugar, a British businessman who has been the main judge since 2005.UK-based Karishma Vijay, 28, defeated fellow finalist Pasha Mahel in an all-female final. The final task saw both contestants develop a branding and advertising campaign for their business ideas before pitching them live to Lord Sugar and a panel of industry experts.
Reacting to her win, Vijay said: “Actually, I can’t believe my life right now. Things keep happening. I’m having a really good week.”Describing the moment she learned she had won, she said: “I was so shocked and shocked – but I kept so calm. Then I got into my car and was screaming. It was crazy.”Vijay revealed that the contestants have to wait months after filming to know the result. “After all this time of waiting, there was a lot of anxiety,” she said.
“I’m happy with the result… my life has really changed.”She has reportedly decided to use the investment to grow her cosmetics brand Kishkin, with plans to expand its range further. “It will be the brand that is already a hit, with young girls queuing up to buy it,” she said.Her accomplishment meant a lot to her family. Speaking about her background, Vijay revealed that she was raised by a single father in a traditional Indian family where expectations were often low.“They told my parents there was no way you could raise these two girls as a single parent,” she said. “My older sister is a doctor, and I am the winner trainee. What more could a father ask for?Vijay also praised her fellow finalist and said, “I have a huge love for Easter. I think she is incredibly inspiring and most deserving.”Her win marks a major milestone in her journey as she now enters into a business partnership with Lord Sugar, backed by an investment of £250,000.
